Mefloquine is used for chemoprophylaxis against malaria when chloroquine resistance is expected. Serious side effects may occur with mefloquine and it may be contraindicated in certain situations.
Absolute
Pregnant women during the first half of pregnancy
(1) Women taking mefloquine prophylaxis should use birth control during its use and for 2 months after the last dose.
Cardiac conduction delay
(1) Mefloquine may be used with beta blockers if there is no underlying arrhythmia.
History of epilepsy
History of serious psychiatric disorder
Allergy to mefloquine
Relative
Children < 15 kilograms
(1) The use of mefloquine in small children is probably safe, but its use has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Travelers involved in tasks requiring fine coordination and spatial discrimination.
Travel to region with mefloquine resistant malaria
(1) regions with mefloquine resistance common: Thai-Cambodian border, Thai-Myanmar border, Western Cambodia
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